Twenty SU students broaden horizons in Mexico

Veracruz, Mexico – Southern University students learned, taught and experienced a different culture while visiting Veracruz, Mexico through Southern University’s Study Abroad Program this summer.
Twenty students dedicated three weeks of learning Spanish at the Universidad del Valle de Orizaba and teaching English at a local orphanage and elementary school.
Most participants never left Louisiana or the United States until host families in Mexico welcomed them.
“This was my first real out of the country experience,” said Ayana McHenry from Monroe. “Your mother always tells you there are people worse off than you, now I see it.”
In 1995 Southern University signed an agreement with Universidad del Valle de Orizaba to give students an opportunity to learn another language and culture.
Director of the Center for Service Learning and Division of Continuing Education, Barbara Carpenter, helped start this program to better students.
” This is one of the best programs in the country where students provide a service, learn to help others, and learn languages,” said Carpenter. “This is probably the most cost effective study abroad program in the country.”
According to the coordinator of the study abroad program Warren Anderson, Southern University has the best study abroad program among other Historically Black Universities.
“Colleges need to offer global education for their students. Global education is not just academic, you learn how people view you as an African-American and as an American, while being an ambassador of your culture,” said Anderson.
A participant from Houston and biology major Terri Johnson said, “In order to be competitive it’s important to have knowledge and experience of other cultures. It’s a great experience and I am glad to have had it.”
In addition to earning academic and student volunteerism credit, students visited museums and other historical sites.